Burton purchased the existing Albrecht and Albrecht clothing factory at Hudson Road in 1921 and it would become the company’s primary factory, with many extensions over the years, including those designed by the first Burton Deco architect, Harry Wilson. It employeed over 10,000 people at its peak in the 1930s and was of such importance that a German War Office map shows it was a target for the Luftwaffe during World War II.
Manufacturing at the site is believed to have ceased in the 1970s. The site continued to be used for storage, distribution and offices until the Arcadia Group entered administration in 2020.
In 2025, Avant Homes submitted a planning application for a 300-home redevelopment of the site (see Archives & Plans tab below). Parts of the factory buildings would be preserved including the Hudson Road frontage, and the Burton legacy would be celebrated in street names, artwork and interpretation panels.
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Additional Information
| FromYears based on documented evidence such as photographs or Google Streetview; actual dates may differ. | To | Details | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Burton purchased the Albrecht and Albrecht Clothing Factory at Hudson Road | |||
| 1922 | New canteen constructed to accommodate 1,000 employees | |||
| 1923 | Extension No.1 | |||
| 1925 | Tennis courts and pavilion constructed as the company celebrated its 25th anniversary | |||
| 1926 | Extension No.2 (designed by Harry Wilson) | |||
| 1927 | Extension No.3 | |||
| 1928 | New canteen completed to accommodate 4,000 employees | |||
| 1928 | Extension No.4 and alterations including garage | |||
| 1929 | Extension No.5 (designed by Harry Wilson) | |||
| 1930 | 1932 | Extensions Nos.6 & 7 in Art Deco style (designed by Harry Wilson) | ||
| 1932 | Extension No.8 | |||
| 1933 | Plans submitted for new Hudson Road frontage | |||
| 1934 | 09/10/1934: New canteen opened by the Princess Royal, accommodating 8,000 employees |
| Date | Organisation | Reference | Details | Details | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/04/2025 | Leeds City Council | 25/01831/FU | Hybrid (full and outline) planning application for 300-home redevelopment of the site | Hybrid (full and outline) planning application for 300-home redevelopment of the site |
Ronald Redmayne (Ed.), Ideals in Industry (Leeds: Petty & Sons Ltd, 1951)
- p154: German War Office map showing Hudson Road Mills as a Luftwaffe target during World War II